Can-filling machine



Dec. 16, 1924. 1,519,756

- c. F: COLBERT CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed June 27. 1918 6 Sheets-Sheet l f waldak Uec. 1924- 1,519,756

C. F. COLBERT CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed June 2'7. 1918 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 III Dec. 16, 1924. 1,519,756

c. F. CQLBER'T CAN FILLING MACHINE F iled June 27. 191B 6 Sheets-Sheet s 3%1615'5' jwerifir- Dec. 16, 1924.

c. F. COLBERT CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed June 27. 1918 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ill/1111 Dec. 16, 1924- 1,519,756

'C. F'. COLBERT CAN FILLING MACHINE W fijg ovmc a Dec. 1.6, 1924- 1,519,756

C. F. CQLBERT CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed June 27. 1918 6 Sheets-Sheet Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE F. COLIBER-T, OF HOOEESTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SPR-AGUE CANNING MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLIIQOIS.

CAN-FILLING MACHINE.

Application filed June 27,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE F. Comnnrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at I-loopeston, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gan-Filling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in can filling machines suitable for use in filling cans with such materials as peas, beans, berries, and the like, with which it is customary to include as a part of the. contents of the can a certain amount of liquid.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a can-filling machine which occupies but little floor space and which is easily kept in order. Another object is to provide a can-filling machine which may be readily cleaned and kept in sanitary condition, and which, while in use, will not become clogged with the material which is being filled into the cans. A still further object of the invention is to provide a can-filling machine in which means are employed for preventing the spilling of peas and brine if a can is not in position for filling. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and explanation, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The invention comprises, in addition to the hopper for the peas or other material which is to be packed, and a reservoir for the brine, three superposed main elements arranged to rotate together about a common axis. The upper of these three elements comprises a series of brine-holding and measuring cups. The second or intermediate of these three elements comprises a series of receivers arranged to measure the peas as the receivers pass successively in register with the outlet from the hopper. The lower of these three rotary elements consists of a carrier table, which conveys the cans in a circular path in register with the several receivers carried by the intermediate member.

Above the upper or brine-cup-carrying member is arranged a filling nozzle, under which the cups pass in succession. The brine reservoir is conveniently arranged in the base of the machine, means being provided to pump the brine from this reservoir 1918. Serial No. 242,163.

up through a passage in the central column to the brine-filling nozzle.

Suitable adjustable means are provided for varying the capacity of the brine-cups, and also means for varying the capacity of the receivers.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a can-filling machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the can-filling machine, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

F ig. 3 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 4: is a broken transverse horizontal section taken on line 44: of Fig. 2, looking downward, and showing principally the operation of the brine-filling nozzles and the shutter which cuts off the flow of peas from the hopper to the revolving receivers;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the oscillating brine-nozzles, the section being taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View of the same, the section being taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the pea-cutoff shutter;

Fig. 8 is a crosssectional view of the shutter, the section being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a rotating element, which includes a series of measuring pockets;

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same, the section being taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the filling nozzle through which the brine is supplied to the brine-measuring cups;

Fig. 12 is a detail view, partly in section, showing one of the receivers and a cutoff shutter, with means for operating the latter, the purpose of which is to prevent the filling of the receiver with peas unless a can is in position to be filled from this receiver, the section being taken on lines 12-l2 of Figs. 2' and 4;.

Fig. 13 is an elevational side view of one of the oscillating brine-nozzles, showing part of the mechanism which is employed for swinging the latter on its pivot; and

Fig. 14 is a broken plan view of a detail, showing the cutoff plate which closes the lower end of each receiver while the same is being filled and until the rotation of the receiver-carrying element carries it off the plate and permits the peas to fall into the can.

Fig. 15 is a view of a wrench used in adj usting the machine.

The base of the machine is constructed to provide a space 21 which serves as a tank or reservoir for holding the brine. The upper portion of the base supports a casting 22, which is set upon the upper edge of the base 20 and supports most of the parts of the machine. This casting comprises a frame 23 and a cylindrical centrally-disposed hollow hub 24. Supported in this hub 24 is a hollow central column 25, around which revolve the elements which carry the peameasuring receivers, the can-conveyor, and the brine-measuring cups.

The can-carrying element comprises a circular rotating table 26, which has a hub 27 resting upon the hub 24 of the frame 23. This table 26 is provided on its under side with gear teeth 28, which mesh with appropriate teeth on a pinion (not seen in the tlrawings) which is carried by the inner end of the drive-shaft 29. This drive-shaft carries the power pulley 30 and is supported in a suitable bracket 31, which is secured to the side of the base 20. A suitable clutch 32 is provided, by means of which the machine is stopped and started, this clutch being moved into and out of engagement by means of an operating lever or handle 33.

The can-carrying table 26 is provided with a series of can-sweeps 34 (preferably eight in number), equally spaced around the table and adapted to engage the cans one after another as they move down to the table through a can-chute 35. This can-chute does not form any part of the presentinvention, but is arranged to be continuously supplied with cans and to present them in an upright position to the can-conveying table 26. A rotating can-discharging disk 36 takes the filled cans from the table and places them upon a belt carrier 37. This can-discharging disk 36 is fast on a vertical shaft 38, which turns in suitable bearings in a bracket 39 secured to the side of the base 20. The shaft 38 also carries a gear 40, which meshes with a pinion 41 on the outer end of a horizontal shaft 42, this shaft hav ing on its inner end a pinion 43, which meshes with the gear teeth 28 on the under side of the cancarrying table 26. The disk 36 is thus driven from the rotating table 26.

A curved guide 43" projects into the path of the cans as they move around with the table 26, this curved guide 43 directing the cans onto the disk 36. Another curved guide 44 projects into the path of the cans as they are carried around on the disk 36 and sweeps them from this disk onto the,

traveling belt carrier 37. A gutter or channel 46 extends around the outer edge of the table 26 and just below the latter, and serves to catch and direct to a waste-pipe 47 any brine which maybe spilled over the tops of the cans.

Arranged above the can-carrying part of the machine and revolving in a horizontal plane coaxially therewith, is the pea-measuring element of the machine. Suitable means, which will be described below, are provided whereby this part of the machine may be verticallv adjusted to provide more or less space for the cans on the can-table, as required by cans of different heights. Means are also provided whereby the capacitv of the pea-measuringreceivers may be varied as desired.

The pea-measuring element comprises a plate 50 formed with a series of openings,

in each of which is secured the lower end of one of a pair of telescoping members 51 and 52, which compose a pea-measuringreceptacle or pocket. The upper member 52 of each pea-measuring pocket is supported by a second rotary plate 53, the capacity of the pocket being regulated by raising and lowering the upper plate 53 so as to alter the height of each pocket.

The plate 53 is supported by a circular member 54 having a collar portion 54, which includes, arranged around its edge, a series of brine-measuring cups 55, and carries a corresponding oscillating brinenozzle 56 for each cup. Suitable means are provided whereby the opening and closing of each nozzle is effected at the proper time, so that the brine will be discharged thereinthrough into one of the receivers and thus into one of the cans. The brine-measuring cups are also provided with means for varying their capacity to suit cans of different sizes.

The cup-carrying member 54 is provided with an annular recess or chamber 57, in which is located a member 58, which forms a portion of the vertical wall of each of the circular brine-cups 55 and is adjustable up and down to vary the height of this portion of the wall and thus vary the capacity of the cups. The member 58 consists of an inner ring surrounding the central column, and an outer ring connected to the inner ring by radial webs. The brine-cups are filled from a nozzle 59 as they passin succession under the latter. The surplus brine which overflows from the cups finds. its way into the chamber 57 and passes down through short pipes 60 into other pipes 61, with which the pipes 60 telescope. The pipes 61 lead down into an annular trough '62, which is non-rotatably supported above the brine-tank 21 and is provided with drain-ports 63 which conduct the brine back to the tank 21. From the tank the brine is v pumped continuously while the machine is operating, by a pump 64 located in the tank 21. up through a pipe 65 into the lower end of the hollow shaft 25 which forms the central column of the machine and about which the revoluble elements of the machine turn. At the upper end of the shaft the brine is discharged into a pipe 66, which leads to the filling nozzle 59. The filling nozzle, shown by itself in Fig. 11 is elongated and is provided with a deflector 59 for directing part of the brine to the ends of the nozzle.

A suitable hand-valve 67' is provided, by means of which the pipe 66 may be closed and communication established between the tank and a main supply-pipe 68 when. it is desired to replenish the supply of brine in the tank 21. When the machine is being operated, the valve is in the position shown, with the pipe 68 closed and communication established between the hollow column and the pipe 66- The brine-pump 64 is located as near the bottom of the tank 21 as convenient and is of the rotary gear type. It is driven by a sprocket and chain connection from the shaft 29. A sprocket 64 on the shaft 64 of the pump is connected by means of a chain 64 with a sprocket-wheel 29 on the main power-shaft 29. A check-valve 65 in the pipe 65 prevents the brine from flowing back to the tank when the machine is stopped for a short time, as this would empty the central column and cause a few cans to be only partly filled or unfilled with brine when the machinewas again started.

The machine may be flushed to wash out the cups, receptacles, passages, and the like by turning the valve 67 to close the upper end of the central column, and connecting the pipe 68 to a source of water-supply while the machine is running.

The means by which the space between the can-carrying table andthe receivers is altered comprises a screw-threaded revoluble member 69 adapted to be moved up and down on a screw-threaded portion 70 of the hollow shaft 25. To turn this threaded member 69, a pinion-wrench 71 is inserted into a guide 72, so that the gear-teeth thereon will mesh with co-operating teeth on the member 69, whereby the'latter may be revolved about the hollow shaft 25 and advanced along the threaded portion of the latter. The threaded member 69 supports a longsleeve member 73, on the lower end of which is a flange which carries the plate 50. The sleeve member 73 turns freely about the hollow shaft 25 and supports both the pea-measuring and the brine-measuring devices of the machine, being prevented from sliding down on the shaft 25 by the member 69.

In order to adjust the plate 53 away from the plate 50 to increase the capacity of each pea-measuring receiver, the upper plate 53 is raised by turning the hand-wheel 7 4. This hand-wheel is integral with or secured to a short sleeve 75, which is supported upon the upper end of the long sleeve 73 and is interiorly screw-threaded to co-operate with a threaded portion on a sleeve 76 which is adjustable lengthwise on the sleeve 73 but turns with the latter. The sleeve 76 is formed with a flange 77 on its lower end, which supports the upper member of the pea-measuring element.

To adjust the member 58 up or down to vary the capacity of the brine-cups 55, a hand-wheel 78 is turned to the right or left. This hand-wheel 78 is secured to a threaded member 79, which engages threads on the sleeve 76 and supports the member 58.

It will be seen that the adjustment of the member 69 vertically upon the shaft or column 7 O raises or lowers the can-filling mechanism as a whole, this mechanism including the pea-measuring receivers and the brinemeasuring cups, and that in addition to this provision for increasing the space between the can-carrying table and the filling mechanism, the upper plate 53 of the pea-measuring element is also adjustable by itself.

The pea-measuring receivers are supplied with peas from a hopper 80 carried by a bracket 81, which bracket is supported from the sleeve 76 so as to be raised and lowered with the parts carried by the latter. The bracket 81 has a pair of arms which embrace the sleeve 76 and are clamped firmly upon the latter by means of bolts which pass through the ends of extensions 82 on these arms. After the hopper has once been properly located at the correct distance above the member 54, it is left in this position on the sleeve 76, so that when the latter is adjusted up or down by means of the hand-wheel 74;, the hopper and the upper portions of the receivers will be maintained in proper relative positions.

During the operation of the machine the receivers are first supplied with peas from the hopper 80, and later receive the proper amount of brine from the brine-measuring cups 55. The means by which the measured brine is discharged toeach can through the receivers will be described after the means by which the receivers are filled has been explained.

As the receivers are revolved they are, of course, brought successively under the hopper 80. If for any reason it happens that no can is contained in one of the pockets of the can-carrying table 26 when it comes into register with the hopper, it is desirable that the peas be prevented from filling the receiver which corresponds to that particular can-receiving pocket. Means are, therefore,

provided for insuring that the peas will not be permitted to pass into the receiver in the event that nocan is in position to receive them. A pair of shutter-blades 83 and 84 are pivoted on the under side of a supporting plate 85, which is in turn supported by the hopper 80. The member 85 has an opening 85 in register with the lower end of the hopper 80 and is normally closed by the shutter-blades 83 and 84. Each of the shutter-blades 83 and 84 is provided With gear-teeth 83 and 84 which intermesh, so that the shutter-blades move simultaneously.

Extending downward from the supporting plate 85 are two rods 86 and 87. On the lower end of the rod 87 is fulcrumed a can-engaging lever or finger 88, which normally extends into the path of the cans as they travel around with the can-carrying table and is arranged to be pushed to one side by each can as it passes. This lever 88 is connected by means of a short rod 89 with a pivoted dog 90 above it on the rod 87 The upper end 91 of the dog 90 has a short link 92 hinged thereto, the latter extending to a pointed or tapering member 93, which is pivoted at 94 to the shutter-blade 83. The member 93 forms a switch-frog for directing a. pin 95 carried by the revolving plate 53 through a channel 96 formed in the under side of the blade 83. These pins 95 equal in number the number of receivers 52 and correspond in position to the latter. The part 93 is thrown into or out of the position in which the pin 95 will be guided into the channel 96, by the movement of the can-engaging lever 88, which motion is transmitted to the frog through the short rod 89, the pivoted dog 90, and the link 92. When a. can is brought lIltOl contact with the lever 88 and the latter is swung outwardly by engagement with the can, the point of the frog is thrown out into the path of the pin 95. WV'hen the can has passed on its circular path, the parts are returned to normal position by a torsion spring 96, which is coiled about the rod 87. In the event that there is no can to engage the lever 88, the point of the frog is not thrown out into engagement with the pin 95, and the shutter-blades 83 and 8 1 do not separate to allow the peas to flow down into the receiver, which is directly over the empty pocket of the can-sweep.

Sup-ported on the rods 86 and 87 is a supporting bracket 97. This bracket carries a cut-01f plate 98 for closing the mouth of the pea-measuring receiver during the time that the latter is in register with the lower end of the hopper. The edge of the lower revolving plate runs in a groove in the supporting bracket 97, this construction atfording means for holding the plate 98 in close contact with the lower end of the receiver. The inner edge of the cut-off plate 98 projects into a groove 99 formed in a downward ly-extending lipon the under side of the member 50. As the can-carrier and the receivers revolve together, the lower end of the receiver which is under the-hopper and has just received its charge of peas will move out from. under the hopper and pass off the end of the cut-offplate 98 shortly after it has been filled, and the peas will be permitted to drop into the can which is in register with this receiver.

The machine is so designed that after a brine-pocket has been filled with brine it will discharge its contents into the can through the receiver which has just emptied its charge into a can, this feature providing for the thorough washing out of the peas from the pockets. The discharge of the contents oi the brine-cup will not take place, however, unless a can is in position to receive this charge of brine.

The bottom wall of each brine-cup is formed with a pair of outlet ports 100,

which register with a'pair of corresponding ports 101 in the brine-nozzle 56 when the latter is turned to the proper position. Each of the brine-nozzles 56 is arranged to oscillate, on a pivot-pin 102, directly beneath the corresponding brine-cup 56 and: is held up against the under side of the latter by a spring 103 which surrounds the pivot-pin 102. Normally, a nozzle will extend radially from the center of the machine, in which po sition its ports will register with those in the bottom of the brine-cups 55. 'The supporting member 85 has two inwardly-extending ar'ms 1041i and 10%, the latter carrying a pin 105 with whidh the oscillating nozzles engage in succession. The purpose of this is to bring the oscillating nozzle to the position in which its port-s are out of register with the ports of the brine-cup with which it corresponds. As the nozzles engage this pin one after another, they are turned to the position in which they are seen at the right-hand in Fig. 4, which is the closed position just mentioned, but as they are carried around to the opposite side of the machine they approach successively a device which is adapted to swing them around to a position in which they are in open communication with the brine-cups, and also with the pea-measuring receptacles.

Each brine-oup is filled from the filling nozzle 59 during the time that the corresponding receiver is being filled with peas. The receiver having moved off the cut-off plate 98 and discharged its contents into the can, the corresponding swinging nozzle should oscillate to the open position and establishcommunication between the brine-- cup and the can, through itself and the receiver. The nozzle-shifting device for accomplishing this is so designed that the nozzle is shifted quickly, and comprises a camfaced dog 106 pivoted at the outer end of the arm 104 of the sup-porting member 85, and a pin 106 carried by the nozzle and arranged to engage this dog when the latter is moved into the path of the pin, which is located at one side of the center of oscillation of the nozzle and slides along the cam surface of the dog. In the event that a can is not in position for filling, this dog is held out of the path of the pin by spring means, the arrangement being such that the can moves the dog to operative position.

The spring 107 surrounds a rock-shaft 108, on the lower end of which is arranged a can-engaging lever or finger 109, which extends into the path of the cans. The shaft 108 is supported in a bearing bracket 110, the latter being secured to the rods 86 and 87. Fast on the upper end of the rock-shaft 108 is a lever 111, to the outer end of which is connected one end of a link 112 the opposite end of this link being connected to an extension 113 on the dog 106. Then acan engages the finger 109 and swings the latter outward, the shaft 108 is rocked sufficiently to carry the lever 111 and the link 112, and consequently the dog 106, to the position in which the pin on the oscillating nozzle 56 will engage the dog, whereas, if no can is present, the spring 107 will hold these parts in the position in which the dog 106 will not be in the path of the pin 106, thus permitting the nozzle to pass without being turned to register with the ports in the under side of the brine-cups.

It will be seen that in a. machine constructed and operating in accordance with my invention, the receiver in which the peas are measured serves to conduct the brine to the cans as well as supplying the peas themselves to the cans.

In this specification I have employed the terms peas and brine to designate the materials which are placed in the cans, but I wish to be understood thatthese terms are used as a matter of convenience only, and that the machine is well adapted for filling cans with any mixture in which granular material is combined with a. liquid. It has been found that a machine constructed in accordance with the invention herein disclosed is especially well adapted for the filling of cans with a mixture which includes solids in broken or granular form and a liquid which carries in suspension particles of material having a tendency tosettle. It will be observed that the material is drawn from the lower part of the tank, and that whatever material overflows from the liquid measuring cups 58 finds its way back to the tank tobe again pumped therefrom. This provides for a constant circulation of the liquid and prevents any heavy particles of material which might have a tendency to go to the bottom of the tank, from settling and accumulating.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine for filling cans, the combination of a central hollow column, canconveying means arranged to rotate about said hollow column, a rotary element comprising liquid-measuring devices arranged to rotate about said hollow column, a. source of supply for the liquid, a constantly open nozzle in communication with the source of supply through said hollow column, and arranged to discharge into said liquid1neasuring devices, means for varying the capacity of the liquid-measuring devices, and means for conducting the overflow from said liquid-measuring devices back to said source of supply.

2. In a can-filling machine, the combination of arotary can-carrying element, a rotary element comprising a series of brinemeasuring devices, said rotary element comprising an adjustable member for varying the height of a side wall of each of the brinemeasuring devices, a source of supply for liquid, means for moving the liquid from said source of supply and discharging it into the liquid-measuring devices in succes sion, and means for conducting the overflow of liquid from said liquid-measuring de vices to said source of supply.

3. In a machine for filling cans, the combination of' a rotary can-conveying element, a source of supply for liquid, located below said can-conveying element, a rotary element arranged above said can-conveying element and comprising open overflow liquid-Incas uring chambers, a conduit extending from said source of supply up through said canconveying and liquid-measuring elements and opening above the latter, and means for conducting the overflow from said liquidmeasuring chambers back to said source of supply.

4. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary can-conveying element, a rotary measuring device arranged above the latter and comprising a series of receivers, a hopper arranged to discharge into said receivers, and a shutter below said hopper, and means extending into the path of the cans for engagement threwith for controlling the opening and closing of said shutter.

In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary can-conveyor. a me: suring element arranged to turn with said can-conveyor and comprising a series of receivers, a hopper arranged to discharge into said receivers, a shutter for closing said hopper, means carried by said measuring means adapted to open said shutter, and means extending into the path of the cans for controlling said shutter-opening means.

6. A machine for filling liquid into cans, comprising a base having a liquid reservoir therein, a pipe extending upwardly from said reservoir, a pump for forcing liquid from said reservoir up said pipe, means for moving a series of cans in a circular path about said pipe above said reservoir, a discharge pipe in communication with said vertical pipe, a series'ot open overflow measuring pockets for receiving the liquid from said discharge pipe and discharging it into said cans, and means for conducting the overflow from said pockets back into said reservoir.

7. A machine for filling liquid into cans, comprising a base having a liquid reservoir therein, a conduit leading from said reservoir, a pump for forcing the liquid from said reservoir into said conduit, a series of open overflow pockets revolving in a horizontal plane above said reservoir about said conduit, and means for conducting the liquid which overflows said pockets back to said reservoir.

8. A machine for filling liquid into cans, comprising a reservoir for the liquid, a conduit in communication with said reservoir, means for supplying liquid to said conduit from said reservoir, a rotatable sweep above said reservoir for causing the cans to travel in a circular path, a series of open overflowpockets revolving about the same axis as said sweep, for measuring the liquid and supplying it to the cans carried by said sweep, said conduit delivering the liquid to said pockets as they revolve, and means for conducting the overflow from said measuring pockets back to said reservoir.

9. A machine for filling liquid into cans, comprising a reservoir for the liquid, a conduit in communication with said reservoir, means for supplying liquid to said conduit from said reservoir, a rotatable sweep above said reservoir for causing the cans to travel in a circular path, a series of pockets revolving about the same axis as said sweep, for measuring the liquid and supplying it to the cans carried by said sweep, said conduit delivering the liquid to said pockets as they revolve, and means for conducting the overflow from said measuring pockets back to said reservoir, comprising a series of conduits revolving about said first conduit.

10. A machine for filling liquid into cans, comprising a reservoir for the liquid, a conduit in communication with said reservoir, means for supplying liquid to said conduit from said reservoir, a rotatable sweep above said reservoir for causing the cans to travel in a circular path, a series of pockets revolving about the same axis as said sweep, for measuring the liquid and supplying it to the cans carried by said sweep, said conduit delivering the liquid to said pockets as they revolve, and means for conducting the overflow from said measuring pockets back to said reservoir, comprising conduit means located within the orbit of the cans.

11. A machine for filling liquid into cans, comprising a reservoir for the liquid, a conduit in communication with said reservoir, means for supplying liquid to said conduit from said reservoir, a rotatable sweep above said reservoir for causing the cans to travel in a circular path, a series of pockets revolving about the same axis as said sweep, for measuring the liquid and supplying it to the cans carried by said sweep, said conduit delivering the liquid to said pockets as they revolve, and revolving means for conducting the overflow from said measuring pockets back to said reservoir, comprising conduit means located within the orbit of the cans.

12. A liquid filling device comprising a rotary circular series of liquid measuring pockets, having constantly open tops, means for supplying liquid to said pockets through said open tops, a reservoir for the liquid, means for collectively varying the capacity of said open top liquid measuring pockets, and means whereby the surplus supplied to said pockets is returned to said reservoir.

13. A machine for measuring granular material and depositing it in cans comprising a supply container for the granular material, a circular series of measuring pockets for the granular material, means for causing said pockets to revolve about an axis and to pass successively underneath said container to receive the measured quantities of granular material therefrom, means. for moving a series of cans along with and underneath said measuring pockets, a cut-ofl between said container and the measuring pocket underneath it for preventing the material from passing from said container to said pocket when the cut-off is closed, and can controlled means for opening said out-ofl to permit passage of material into said pocket when a can is present to be filled.

14. A machine for measuring granular material and depositing it in cans comprising a supply container for the granular material, a circular series of measuring pockets for the granular material, means for causing said pockets to revolve about an axis and to pass successively underneath said container to receive the measured quantities of granular material therefrom, means for moving a series of cans along with and un derneath said measuring pockets, a cut-ofi' between said container and the measuring pocket underneath it for preventing the material from passing from said container to said pocket when the cut-off is closed, and

can controlled means for opening said cut-off to permit passage of material into said pocket when a can is present to be filled, said cut-ofl? comprising a horizontally movable cut-oi? plate.

15. A liquid filling device comprising a rotatable circular series of liquidmeasuring pockets, having their tops constantly open, means for supplying liquid to said pockets through said open tops, a reservoir for the liquid, means whereby any surplus supplied to said pockets is returned to said reservoir,

and means for varying the capacity of said pockets comprising a spider coaxial with said circular series, a hand wheel for raising and lowering said spider, also coaxial with said circular series, and means supported at the outer periphery of the spider for controlling the capacity of the pockets collectively.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CLARENCE F. COLBERT. 

